Campgrounds In North Carolina: Grandfather Mountain State Park
Home to the iconic Grandfather Mountain, Grandfather Mountain State Park is a 2,456-acre park based 75 miles north of Asheville that offers spectacular natural scenery and a wealth of recreational activities such as world-class hiking and backpacking. Renowned for having some of the Souths most challenging terrain, as well as incredible vistas, unrivaled ecological diversity, and the famous mile-high swinging bridge, the park attracts outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers from all over the world. Top attractions in the park include the family-friendly, Mile High Swinging Bridge, Americas highest suspension footbridge, and Forrest Gump Curve, where Tom Hanks’ character runs in the movie Forrest Gump. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, climbing, and wildlife watching.
9872 N.C. 105 S., Suite #6, Banner Elk, NC 28604, Phone: 828-963-9522
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Why Youll Love Yogi Bears Jellystone Park At Daddy Joes
This RV-friendly facility really goes above and beyond to provide guests of all ages with both fun and relaxation exactly what a vacation should always be about! Youll find amenities here such as mini-golf, an aqua play park, activity pool, large waterslide, splash zone, sporting facilities, fishing ponds, hiking trails, an ice creamery, and so much more. If you have an RV sitting idly in your driveway or garage, why not rent it out for another family to enjoy this RV destination? Its a great way to earn some additional money to fund your next RV trip too!
Goose Creek State Park
Image from The Dyrt camper Chris B.
Campers that love to get away from it all will fall in love with camping at Goose Creek State Park, which offers a primitive camping experience with 14 well-spaced tent sites. Pit toilets and drinking water spigots are available but the campground does not have electricity or a shower house.
The park itself offers campers a coastal paradise. Live oaks drip in Spanish moss and swampy wetlands wait to be explored by an extensive network of boardwalk trails. For those that want to dip their toes into the water, theres also a sandy swim beach as well as a ramp for canoe or kayak launches.
Goose Creek has good campsites scattered about in a stand of long leaf pine. The sites are spacious, well equipped and well spaced . There are several water stations and composting toilets . There are plenty of good hiking trails as well. A wonderful spot. The Dyrt camper Chip G.
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You Dont Need A Camping Permit But There Are Restrictions
Permits are not required for camping in the Outer Banks, but you must stay in official campgrounds that are either privately owned or managed by the National Park Service. Oceanfront camping means behind the barrier dunes camping on the beach itself is not allowed. The one exception to this rule is the very rustic, very under-the-radar Portsmouth Island, an undeveloped paradise accessible only by boat. There, you can pitch a tent right on the beach and sleep under the stars.
Can You Camp In Cape Hatteras
Visitors can only set up camp in designated campgrounds along the Camp Hatteras National Seashore. There are four campgrounds managed by the National park services located in:
- Oregon Inlet Campground at Bodie Island
- Cape Point Campground in Buxton
- Frisco Campground on Hatteras Island
- Ocracoke Campground Ocracoke Island
You can also get in touch with privately-owned campgrounds in Cape Hatteras or Ocracoke.
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Hammocks Beach State Park
Hammocks Beach State Park sits on secluded Bear Island, a three-mile-long undeveloped barrier island that can only be accessed by ferry or private boat, canoe or kayak. It hosts 14 primitive campsites, a bathhouse with pit toilets and outdoor cold-water showers. Facilities are only available during the warmer months of the year, so if you come during the off season, youll need to bring drinking water and everything else you need with you. Here youll find miles of gorgeous stretches of sand as well as the opportunity for hiking and fishing. The parks mainland gateway has a full-service visitor center and is the launch site for ferry service and private watercraft. You can rent or bring your own kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to explore the paddling trails leading to marshes, Bear Island and Huggins Island, known for its unspoiled maritime forest.
The 10 Best Campgrounds In The North Carolina Mountains
One of our favorite ways to take a deep dive into the beauty of nature is to enjoy the myriad campgrounds in the North Carolina mountains.
Sure, hiking trails are great for getting outside to appreciate the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge region. But camping overnight allows us to explore a given area in much greater depth than day trips.
For my wife and me, camping is typically a primitive thing. We use an old-school tent set up, completely unplugged from the distractions of civilization.
Were suckers for camping food, licking our chops over chili dinners and oatmeal breakfasts cooked over an open fire or camp stove.
We love to sit beside a campfire as dusk slides into darkness. We even enjoy watching other campers going about their idiosyncratic merriments.
Camping in the North Carolina mountains has become one of our favorite pastimes, especially since we live in the area .
There is so much beauty to see waterfalls, scenic summit views, hiking trails, mountain lakes, wildlife and wildflowers that it just never gets stale.
In our opinion, this list includes some of the best campgrounds in North Carolina, assembled to help you find the perfect place for some quality NC mountains camping!
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Ocracoke Island Cape Hatteras National Seashore
This National Park Service campground is set on Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the outermost island in the Outer Banks, with 13 miles of pristine beach. Accessed by boat, the island offers a wide variety of activities, including surfing, sandcastle building, fishing, clamming, beachcombing and boogie boarding, as well as wildlife watching, including the wild ponies that roam the shores and more than 400 species of birds. You can pitch your tent right in the dunes, and catch an ocean sunrise in the morning. Flush toilets, drinking water, cold showers and grills are all provided. In the nearby village of Ocracoke, there are a number of restaurants, grocery stores, a tackle shop and gift shops.
Primary And Secondary Education
Elementary and secondary public schools are overseen by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction is the secretary of the North Carolina State Board of Education, but the board, rather than the superintendent, holds most of the legal authority for making public education policy. In 2009, the board’s chairman also became the “chief executive officer” for the state’s school system. North Carolina has 115 public school systems, each of which is overseen by a local school board. A county may have one or more systems within it. The largest school systems in North Carolina are the Wake County Public School System, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Guilford County Schools, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, and Cumberland County Schools. In total there are 2,425 public schools in the state, including over 200 charter schools. North Carolina Schools were segregated until the Brown v. Board of Education trial and the release of the Pearsall Plan.
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North Carolina Campgrounds: Rocky Bluff Recreation Area
Surrounded by the magnificent Pisgah National Forest, the Rocky Bluff Recreation Area offers an idyllic mountain getaway that offers camping, picnicking, fishing, and hiking in a quiet and picturesque setting. Campground facilities include primitive, tent and RV camping with full water, electricity and sewerage hookups, as well as modern restrooms with flushing toilets and showers. Recreational activities include hiking on one of several hiking trails that boast breathtaking views of the surrounding natural scenery and fishing for trout and rainbow trout in Spring Creek and the nearby French Broad River.
2145 NC-209, Hot Springs, NC 28743, Phone: 828-689-9694
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Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort
Located in the heart of Hilton Head island, this 50 acre gated campground is close to everything beach, shopping, and restaurants. In fact, multiple places are within walking or biking distance! On site amenities, include a large pool, heated spa, exercise and laundry facilities, tennis courts, bathhouses, dog park and dog wash, playground, outdoor activities , cable/wifi, onsite bike rental delivery, and lake. This campground is truly unique with its woodsy, shaded lots and resort like setting.
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Grand Isle State Park: Grand Isle Louisiana
Located only two hours from New Orleans, this campground is the best way to experience the bayou when youre done sauntering down Bourbon Street. It offers 49 RV sites and 14 tent sites that are right on the beach. Along with enjoying fun in the sun, the campground also has fishing, crabbing, and trails to hike. Rates begin at $18 per night, and more information can be found on Reserve America.
Rv Camping With Modern Luxuries
RV camping probably provides the best compromise between getting out into the outdoors and vacationing with the comforts of home. Most RV parks come equipped with electricity and water at the campsite, as well as a host of amenities within the parkincluding things like wifi and cable.
Because an RV is mobile, RV camping is perfect if you want to visit a few beaches during a single vacation. It’s easy and convenient to pack up and move quickly. And, of course, you don’t need to worry if the weather is uncooperative while you’re on the road. You’ll stay clean and dry inside your RV. You’ll probably even have a kitchen and bathroom inside your vehicle!
That said, if you’re looking for a camping experience that truly feels like you’re living in the outdoors, this probably isn’t the camping style for you.
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The Best Rv Camping In Western North Carolina
As the saying goes, the west is the best and what better place to start than the home of the Great Smoky Mountains and cultural mecca of Asheville in western North Carolina? Not to mention, should you be experiencing engine trouble, itll be much easier to drift eastward on the long, slow procession that leads one to the coast.
Even at its high elevation, the state is mild yearlong, with winters rarely seeing snow that midday sunshine cant melt and summers hanging around in the mid-80s. Aside from being home to a national park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, countless quaint Main Streets cut through towns lining national forests and old-time farmlands abound. It is the literal definition of picturesque, or if its not, someone needs to shoot Merriam and his old pal Webster an email to update the dictionary.
Tent Camping Near Me: New River State Park
The New River, named a National Wild and Scenic River, winds its way through New River State Park, which preserves some of the states best mountain scenery. The river offers opportunities for canoeing, fishing, and paddling, but other outdoor recreation can be found in the park, such as camping. Walk-in campsites can be found just a couple hundred feet from the parking areas at the US 221 access and the Wagoner Road access, with both providing river access for paddling. RV camping is possible at the park access of US 221. There are also several canoe-in, primitive camping opportunities along the New River.
358 New River State Park Rd, Laurel Springs, NC 28644, Phone: 336-982-2587
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Why Youll Love Raleigh Oaks Rv Resort & Cottages
With a perfect Good Sam rating of ten, Raleigh Oaks RV Resort & Cottages is one of the best RV trips you can take in the state! Youll find stunning Amish handcrafted cottages on-site, as well as luxurious amenities such as swimming pools, a hot tub, billiard room, miniature golf, private bath suites, arts and crafts room, and so much more!
Waianapanapa State Park: Maui Hawaii
Black sand beaches, tide pools, freshwater caves, and a natural stone arch are enough to attract any tourist. Not only is this state park breathtakingly beautiful, it also has some of the best beach camping around. Visitors must acquire a permit and make a reservation, with rates between $20 and $30 per night, and cabins are available for an additional fee. To make a reservation, visit the park’s website.
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Frisco Campground Cape Hatteras Island
Of the two national park campgrounds on Cape Hatteras Islands, Frisco Campground is considered the better of the two. It offers 127 basic sites with picnic tables and grills set in large bushes on rolling dunes with wonderful privacy and easy access to the beach along a wooden boardwalk.
Sites are reservable but not site specific, and where you decide to set up depends on whether you want a view or would like to be close to the beach. Sites with ocean views are set back on the hills, and those without views are closer to the beach accesses.
The campground is located near the small airport at the southern end of the island, convenient to the Ocracoke Island Ferry, and the small town of Frisco has all the basics you’ll need to restock. Central washrooms have cold water showers only, and water spigots are located throughout the area.
Lake James State Park
Lake James is tucked into the rolling hills at the base of Linville Gorge. The over 6,800-acre reservoir boasts more than 150 miles of shoreline and is the centerpiece of Lake James State Park. There are 30 boat-in campsites that you can paddle to from across the lake, as well as 20 backpack sites that are a short walk from the parking lot. Facilities include a bathhouse with warm showers, a 700-foot swim beach, hiking and mountain biking trails. You can go swimming, enjoy sunbathing, boat, water ski or fish in the cool lake waters, or enjoy walks through the forests and wildlife watching.
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Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Lake Superior Wisconsin
21 islands make up Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands, and camping is available on 18 of them. 16 of the islands also have backcountry camping options for people who dont mind fending for themselves or just want a more secluded experience. Individual campsites are $15 per night, and reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance. More information can be found on the National Park Service website. Overnight camping on the lakeshore is currently suspended check the website for updates.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cape Hatteras National Seashore along the Outer Banks stretches some 70 miles across barrier islands and offers more then 30,000 acres in which to enjoy the pristine maritime environment. Four campgrounds in the park are located at Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, Frisco and Ocracoke Island. The campsites on Ocracoke can be reserved the rest are first come, first served. Ocracoke is a favorite spot because of its 14 miles of pristine beaches, quaint village, lighthouse and maritime forest. The only way to reach the island is by ferry, but the journey is well worth the solitude youll find here.
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Best Winter Camping In North Carolina
Year-round camping opportunities abound in North Carolina thanks to mild winters created in part by protection from the Appalachian Mountains and warming from the Atlantic Ocean. So, grab your winter tent, cold-weather sleeping bag, and winter tent heater for a winter camping trip to one of our favorite year-round campgrounds.
Stone Mountain State Park
Stone Mountain State Park is a 14,353-acre state park in Alleghany County and Wilkes County named after the massive granite dome known as Stone Mountain. The park is home to a family-friendly campground with 90 sites, some of which have water, electricity and sewerage hookups, and group and backpacking campsites can be found nearby. Recreational activities in the park include rock climbing, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing in more than 20 miles of designated trout waters, and hiking on more than 18 miles of trails. Rock climbing on the towering, 600-foot granite face of the landmark mountain is allowed by permit and offers spectacular views of the Hutchinson Homestead, a restored mid-19th century mountain farm from the top.
3042 Frank Pkwy, Roaring Gap, NC 28668, Phone: 336-957-8185
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